Palo Alto, California

Hello — let's build
healthier communities
together

I'm Oxana Palesh, a public health researcher and consultant dedicated to reducing health disparities and advancing evidence-based interventions across the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

Scroll
Oxana Palesh in a professional setting

Ph.D., M.P.H.

Research & Public Health

About Me

A career shaped by
purpose and evidence

With over two decades of experience spanning academic research, policy analysis, and community-based interventions, I bring a rigorous yet deeply human approach to public health challenges.

My work has focused on understanding and addressing health disparities — particularly in tobacco use, cancer outcomes, and underserved populations. I believe that meaningful change happens at the intersection of solid data, compassionate engagement, and actionable strategy.

20+

Years in public health

50+

Published research papers

10+

Grant-funded projects

3

Degrees earned

Let's Work Together

Areas of Expertise

Where research meets
real-world impact

My practice spans the full spectrum of public health — from designing rigorous studies to translating findings into policies that save lives.

Tobacco Control & Prevention

Designing and evaluating comprehensive tobacco cessation programs, policy interventions, and community outreach initiatives that reduce smoking rates and secondhand smoke exposure.

Cancer Disparities Research

Investigating the social, economic, and cultural factors that drive unequal cancer outcomes across populations — and developing strategies to close those gaps.

Community Health Assessment

Conducting thorough community health needs assessments that identify priorities, engage stakeholders, and inform resource allocation for maximum population impact.

Research Design & Analysis

From grant proposals to statistical analysis plans, I provide end-to-end methodological support — ensuring studies are rigorous, ethical, and publishable.

Health Policy Consulting

Translating complex research findings into clear policy recommendations for government agencies, nonprofits, and healthcare organizations seeking evidence-based solutions.

Training & Mentorship

Guiding the next generation of public health professionals through mentorship, workshop facilitation, and curriculum development in epidemiology and health behavior.

Featured Research

Evidence that
drives change

My research has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals and has informed state and national health policy. Here are a few areas that have shaped my career:

Tobacco Use Among Ethnic Minorities

Investigating culturally tailored cessation approaches for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, with implications for statewide policy.

Cancer Screening Disparities

Analyzing barriers to early detection in underserved populations and developing outreach frameworks that improve screening participation rates.

Behavioral Intervention Design

Creating scalable, theory-driven interventions that address the root causes of health-risk behaviors in diverse community settings.

Discuss a Project
Research laboratory setting with scientific equipment

50+

Peer-reviewed
publications

Collaborations

Trusted by organizations
making a difference

"Dr. Palesh's expertise in tobacco control research was instrumental in shaping our statewide cessation initiative. Her ability to translate complex data into actionable strategy is unmatched."

SK

State Health Director

California Public Health Agency

"Working with Oxana transformed how our organization approaches community health assessment. She brings both scientific rigor and genuine compassion to every project."

MR

Nonprofit Program Lead

Bay Area Health Equity Coalition

"Oxana's mentorship helped me develop as a researcher and as a leader. Her guidance on study design and her unwavering support made all the difference in my career."

JL

Graduate Researcher

UC Berkeley School of Public Health

Ready to Collaborate?

Let's advance health
equity — together

Whether you need a research collaborator, a policy consultant, or a mentor for your public health career — I'd love to hear from you.

Is this your business? Claim your website
Your own domain includedLive in minutes, edit anytime
Claim my website